Sabiha Gökçen, Wolds first woman fighter pilot in 1937, briefing Mustafa Kemal Atatürk about the latest added airplanes to squadron.

abiha Gökçen was born in Bursa on March 21, 1913. She was adopted by Ataturk (Founder and the first president of the Turkish Republic) during his trip to Bursa in 1925 and was brought to Ankara. Just after the introduction of Surname Act, Atatürk gave her the family name Gökçen on December 19, 1934. Gök means sky in Turkish and Gökçen means 'belonging or relating to the sky'.

However, she was not an aviator at the date, it was only six months later that Sabiha developed a passion for flying. She completed her education at Cankaya Elemantary School and Uskudar College for Girls. In 1935, she was enrolled in the Turkish Aviation League's "Turk Kusu" Civilian Aviation School.

She was sent to Russia, together with seven male students for advanced training in gliding; and subsequently enrolled at the Military Aviation Academy in Eskisehir in 1936. She also received training at the First Aircraft Regiment in Eskisehir, and flew fighter and bomber planes. In 1937 she was presented with Turkish Aeronautical Association 'Murassa' - Gratification - Medallion at a ceremony attended by the President, the Prime Minister and the Commander of Turkish Armed Forces.
The same year she also received military aviation badge.

Sabiha Gökçen, become a pilot after attending the the Pilots School in 1935.
Visiting Balkan countries as an official, in Athens Greece.
Sabiha Gökçen, stayed as Chief Instructor in Türkkuşu till 1955.

In 1938, she flew around the Balkan countries as an official to great acclaim.

Later, she was appointed chief trainer at the Turkish Aviation League's "Turk Kusu" where she served until 1955 and later became a member of the association's executive board. She flew around the world for a period of 28 years until 1964.

In 1953 and 1959 she was invited to USA and during her visits promoted Turkish public and Turkish women.

Sabiha herself was selected as the only female pilot for a poster of 'The 20 Greatest Aviators in History' published by the USAF - United States Air Force - in 1996.

She last piloted an aircraft, a Falcon 2000, with Daniel Acton when she was 88 years old.